Boonie Mayfield: “Boon Documented: The Soundtrack Vol.1” – the future still looks bright!

Composer, artist and producer, Boonie Mayfield has dropped the album, “Boon Documented: The Soundtrack Vol.1”. This is the first of 3 volumes to be released this year. The project comprises beats Boonie featured throughout his self-produced reality show/web-series, called ‘Boon Documented’ in 2012. All the tracks were produced between 2007 and 2012. This collection showcases 18 tracks worth of Boom Bap, Jazz, Soul and Funk styled beats. Full albums from hip-hop producers can pull one way or the other, working either as a too-narrow spotlight for the name on the album jacket or providing a platform from which only the guests shine.

Then there are the albums that manage to put both the producer and the rappers on equal footing. “Boon Documented: The Soundtrack Vol.1” doesn’t suffer from either. This is a pure beat album, no rapping. Well there is one or two tracks that feature rapping or singing, but really too few to mention. And the spotlight is not even on Boonie, it’s on the music.

Having made the successful transformation from rapper to producer, and back again, Boonie has reached the point where the artistic trip from inspiration to production feels more-or-less instantaneous. Boonie’s beats are dark and noirish, but not in a way that intends to convey malice.

The tones are almost soft to the touch, with a vibe of relaxation and playfulness that keeps things from feeling too serious. Thick rolling and thumping bass-lines, drums that are popping and snapping, rich resonating keyboards result in luscious soul-stirring grooves.

But what makes this record work is Boonie Mayfield balanced blend of creativity, craft, and atmosphere, a real underground beat collection that works best when it plays to its strengths. And its strengths are definitely live instrumentation, as Boonie is a multi-instrumentalist. So expect many rumbling basslines and gorgeous keyboard pieces to be played by the man himself.

Boonie has been a constant dweller in the underground for a few years now and everything he does is inspired and passionate, extremely melodic and keeps the repeat button going. He has assembled some very creative pieces that should actually be among those most acclaimed in all of modern Hip Hop. But we all know how this industry works.

Producers have been the embodiment of the Hip Hop sound from generation to generation. With so many up-and-coming new talents, one can only hope that they can step into the shoes that have been set for them by the likes of Eric Sermon, Timbaland, RZA, Large Pro, Kany West, Marley Marl, Mannie Fresh, Madlib, 9^th Wonder, Dr Dre, J Dilla, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, The Alchemist, Dj Quik, Just Blaze, and all the others I left off this sample list.

But with talents like Boonie Mayfield around the future still looks bright. Boonie actually reminds me of a sort of Pharrell Williams in a way, as his talents are not limited to any one sphere of hip-hop – he raps, sings and producers – but overrides the genre itself. The impression is that he could easily write, produce and perform a song in just about any popular music style if he wanted to.

In the meantime grab a hold of “Boon Documented: The Soundtrack Vol.1”, mastered by Artisan Jones to get a taste of the greatness this kid, from originally from Colorado Springs, is able to put together.

OFFICIAL LINKS: WEBSITE – SOUNDCLOUD – TWITTER – INSTAGRAM

https://soundcloud.com/booniemayfield/sets/boon-documented-the-soundtrack-vol1